Universal note and message holder

ABSTRACT

A holder for notes, messages, business cards, envelopes or the like which makes use of a wire-form paper clip of preferably standard shape mounted in a base. In several forms, this base pivotally carries the paper clip and is so designed as to permit the paper clip to be rotated relative thereto and fixed therein in any one of a number of angular positions.

o I United States Patent 1 91 1 1 3,817,486 Liljequist June 18, 1974 UNIVERSAL NOTE AND MESSAGE 2,469,210 5/1949 Schwab 248/467 HOLDER 3,079,724 5/1963 Harvel....-. 248/316 D UX 3,168,276 2/1965 Schneider 248/467 Inventor: Jon LllJeqlllst, 801 mh r 3,220,132 11/1965 Swiger et al. 248/467 x Ave., Mount Prospect, 111. 60056 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] 1972 1,200,036 6/1959 France 248/468 [21] Appl. No.: 309,228

a Primary Examiner-William H. Scholtz [52] US. Cl 248/467, 248/469, 248/316 D [51] Int. Cl A47g 1/17 [57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 40/125 A, 125 F, 125 H;

A holder for notes, messages, business cards, envel- 211/45, 248/126, 133, 362, 371, 397, 441,

451 452 453 454 460 469 opes or the like WlllCh makes use of a w1re-form paper clip of preferably standard shape mounted in a base. [56] References Cied 1111 seveal fornclis, this (base pivotally clarries the paper 6 1p an 15 so eslgne as to permlt t e paper 0 1p to UNITED STATES PATENTS be rotated relative thereto and fixed therein in any 1,057,393 3/1913 Morton 248/453 one of a number of angular positions, 1,384,757 7/1921 Harrison 1,889,742 12/1932 Barclay 248/468 8 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures 1 UNIVERSAL NOTE AND MESSAGE HOLDER BACKGROUND OF THE-INVENTION The present invention relates to devices for holding cardboard or paper entities on a phone or automobile dashboard or the like where they will be readily visible.

. be affixed to a specific part of a standard telephone.

Thus, the bulk of the patents dealing with this general type of item relate to specially designed devices which are intended to be used in one particular location. Furthermore, once the holder is in its preferred location, any note held thereby usually has a predetermined and non-adjustable orientation relative to ground.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As will be seen, the subject of the invention is capable of making use of standard paper clips which, if used, eliminates the necessity of special tooling for this portion of the device, and it also takes advantage of the low costof standard clips which are already being produced in high volume. The clip is used in conjunction with a mating base which in several forms carries its own universal attachment means. Thus, these forms are not confined to use in' a particular location, but rather each of them maybe attached either to a phone, a desk, a wall, a dashboard, or any other convenient surface where a holder would be a convenience. And, with these latter forms, the clip is not fixed in the base, but is movable relative thereto which widens the number and character of places to which the device may be attached and still have the paper it holds in a readable position. This relative movability also permitsthe clip to be swung out of the way during periods of non-use. Thus, if the clip were used on the lower and middle portions of an automobile dashboard, one might swing the clip downwardly below the dash to conspicuously carry a note, whereas the clip might be swung back up to accommodate a third person sitting in the middle of the front seat of the automobile. The base of the clip preferably includes anti-pivotal means in the form of one or more slots or detents into which portions of a prefera bly standard paper clip can be inserted to inhibit movement relative to the base.

I DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment which includes the principles of the present inventions; i

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an arbitrary object to which the paper holder maybe attached, in this case the object being a telephone having a number of attachment surfaces at differentangles relative to the horizontal;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the'paper holder shown in FIG. 1 with the base shown in cross section;

- FIG. 4 is an end view of the base;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the same device including a pair of hands to show how the paper clamp is manipulated to permit the base to be rotated relative thereto;

FIG. 6 is a slightly modified form of the invention already shown in FIGS. 1-5, this particular shape having certain advantages including that of lending itself to injection molding;

FIG. 7 is a cross section of the note holder shown in FIG. 6, but with only portions of the paper clamp shown;

' FIG. 8 is a modified form of paper holder also incorporating principles of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a paper holder utilizing a base very comparable to the base used in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, however the paper clamp of this embodiment has been modified to gain a different positional locking feature;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation, partly in cross section, of the note holder shown in FIG. 9, taken substantcially along the lines 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows a wider deviation in the specific form of the base of the note holder, this base achieving certain of the objectives of the invention as a whole; and

FIG. 12 is a side elevation, partly in cross section, of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 and taken substantially along the lines l2l2 of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS The following disclosure is offered for public dissemination in return for the grant of a patent. Although it is detailed to insure adequacy and to aid understanding, this is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter how others may later disguise it by variations in form or additions or further improvements.

With reference in particular to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a note holder generally 10 which includes a supporting base 11 and clamp means 12. It is emphasized here at the outset that the clamp means 12 shown in all embodiments is of a commercially available and very popular variety. While paper clamps of other shapes are not shown in the drawings, it is to be understood that other forms of paper clasps (whether of popular or special shapes) might very well adapt themselves to modified bases, generally of the type to be described, and still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The clamp means 12 shown is of conventional shape and is bent from a piece of wire so as to have a lower straight portion 15, comprising a pivotal axis, and two resilient and crossed upstanding arms 16 and 17. Each of the arms 16 and 17 is formedwith a first length 18 extending away at an acute angle from straight portion 15, both lengths 18 crossing one another at their midportions and being in contact where they cross. At the outermost end of lengths 18 relative to portion 15, the wire is bent back to form second lengths 20 which extend back toward portion 15. About half way there is another bend forming the last length 21 of each of the arms 16 and 17. Lengths 21 terminate in a distal or free end 22.

Clamp means 12 is carried by base 11 which can be constructed of any solid material, such as wood, aluminum, plastic, etc. In the configuration of FIGS. 1-5, base 11 lends itself to being machined or extruded. Base 11 is preferrably constructed of one piece. It includes a fiat attachment surface 25, and clamp captivating means in the fonn of an alongate slot 26 therein. Slot 26, which receives straight portion of the clamp 12, has a slightly tapered portion 27 leading into a generally circular inner portion 28. The two points 29 where the tapered portion interupts the circular portion are spaced apart a distance just a few thousandths of an inch less than the diameter of the .wire forming the clamp 12. Thus, straight portion 15 of the clamp can be snapped into the circular inner portion 28 of the slot so as to be pivotally captivated therein. Of course, captivation is not essential to the note holders operation. Even if points 29 were spaced further apart than the diameter of the clamp wire, the device would still I work.

Base 11 also includes an exposed or outer surface 30 extending radially around slot 26s circular inner portion 28. A portion of outer surface 30 is flattened as at 32 in the event it is desire to imprint a name thereon. The rest of the surface 30 includes means for preventing relative rotation between clamp and base, and specifically it is interrupted with a plurality of relatively deep and narrow locking grooves 33-36. Grooves 33-36 extend longitudinally over the entire length of the base 11, although the longitudinal mid-portions of the groove are in no way functional. Double-sided tape 37 is attached to attachment surface 25 and is provided with a protective backing on the outermost surface so that, when it is desired to attach the unit to a particular surface, this protective backing can be removed to expose a fresh adhesive surface. Naturally, other means of attachment including magnets and screws could be employed.

Normally the device will be used in the orientation as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 1. Straight portion 15 of the clamp resides in circular inner portion 28 of slot 26, and the free ends 22 of the clamp lie within elongate groove of the base. In this position, the

clamp cannot be rotated relative to the base and the entire unit can be mounted on a horizontal or near horizontal surface if it is desirable that arms 16 and 17 project upwardly. If it is desired to mount the unit on a vertical surface, free ends 22 are lifted out of groove 35 (as shown in FIG. 5) and the base is rotated relative to the clamp until free ends 22 are appropiately aligned with either groove 33 or groove 36. Free ends 22 are then released, and their natural resiliency drops them into the aligned groove therebelow. If it is desired to mount the unit on an inclined surface, as found on some automobile dashboards, free ends 22 can be inserted into intermediate groove 34.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a base 40 which is particularly adapted to being manufactured by injection molding. In this configuration, the base 40 includes outer identical ends 41, each of which include a plurality of slots 42. Because of the particular clamp means 12 used, slots 42 need not extend over the entire length of base 40. Each end 41 is beveled as at 43 to facilitate the removal of free ends 22 of the clamp from the slot when it is desirable to rotate the base relative to the clamp. Mid-portions 44 of the base include a flat surface 45 suitable for carrying an imprint or personalization.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a further modification of the base, herein designated 50. In this configuration, the base includes clamp captivating means in the fonn of longitudinal slot 51. Once again the lower surface, herein 52, comprises an attachment surface. One of the outer visible surfaces 53 includes a flat 54 through which extends a hole for receiving the shank portions of a screw 55. Screw 55 extends across slot 51 and into a threaded hole on the other side of the I slot, as at 56. In this configuration, free ends 22 of the clamp 12 are not captivated in any slots. Rather, the tightening of screw 54 causes slot 51 to bear compressively on straight portion 15 of the clamp 12. Thus, clamp 12 can be rotated to any desirable angle relative to base 11, and the degree of difficulty or resistance encountered in rotating the clamp is governed entirely by the amount of compression applied to the clamp by way of screw 55. Naturally, other modifications might permit elimination of the screw in this embodiment, but the screw affords adjustability.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown an even further variation in the base, herein designated 60. This variation is on all respects quite similar to the variations shown in FIGS. 1-5. Base includes a lower mounting surface 61, clarnp captivating means in the form of a slot 62 therein for pivotally holding straight portion 15 of the clamp 12, an outer or exposed surface 63, and a plurality of grooves 64-67. Slot 62 and grooves 64-67 extend longitudinally over the entire length of base 60, although again this is not necessary.

The major distinction between the base of FIGS. 9 and 10 and the base of FIGS. l-5 is in its length relative to the clamp 12. Specifically, it is longer, and by shortening or bending up free ends 22, slots 64-67 function to hold the innermost end of first lengths 18 so as to prevent relative rotation between them and base 60. When it is desired to rotate the base, the two upstanding arms 16 and 17 are merely squeezed together to move them out of whichever slot 63-67 they are captivated within. The base can thus be rotated to a new orientation relative to the clamp 12.

A slight variation of the form just described provides other advantages. For example, if grooves 64-67 are made considerably shallower, such that portions 18 of the clamp can only gain partial entry, or if each end of the groove is properly rounded, the grooves then act merely as detents rather than full stops. Rotation of the base relative to the clamp can be effected without deforming upstanding arms 16 and 17 toward one another. By merely applying a small amount of torque to the base, the base will rotate from one groove to the next incrementally and successively snap in place.

With reference now to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is shown a rather simple variation by which a clamp mounting base can be attached to a variety of surfaces having a wide variety of inclinations. In this variation, the base includes clamp captivating means in the form here of an elongate slot 71 which happens to extend the entire length of the base. A paper clamp 12 is secured in slot 71 by any desirable means so as to be non-rotatably fixed therein. This can be done by a simple press fit.

Base 70 includes a plurality of surfaces extending longitudinally thereover. Surface 72 makes an angle of 30 degrees from the plane of the clamp 12, surface 73 makes an angle of 90 from the plane of the clamp, surface 74 makes an angle of 60 from the plane of the clamp, and plane 75 makes an angle 0 from the plane of the clamp. Each of surfaces 72-75 comprise mounting surfaces which, when used in conjunction with attachment means such as double sided tape or screws,

pennit the paper holding portion of the device to extend in any one of a number of desirable directions. Thus, if it is desired that the paper clamp 12 extend straight up, and if it is desired to mount the base 70 on a surface making an angle of 30 with the horizontal, surface 74 is used. It will thus be seen that the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12 can be mounted to a surface having any inclination so that clamp 12 will extend up or in any other desireable direction.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing discussion and drawings disclose numerous variations of the invention. The disclosure of these variations was made primarily to show that the spirit of this invention can be embodied in many forms appearing vastly different from one another. No doubt other forms will become apparent or be generated by the reading of this disclosure in exactly the same way the variations shown were generated. Thus, this disclosure is not to be considered as limited by the variations shown, but rather by the claims appended.

In a similar vain, it will be appreciated that this disclosure has limited itself to a specific form of paper clamp, however, the spirit and scope of the invention can be practiced with other forms of paper clamps, whether of a well known or a special shape.

Finally, with those embodiments showing a relative rotation capability between clamp and base, the center of rotation is shown coincident with a portion of the clamp, specifically straight portion 15. This of course is preferred because of the specific clamp chosen to be shown. Naturally, other types of clamps as well as the one shown could utilize a pivotal axis set apart from any part of the clamp and still fall within the broad teachings of the invention. For example, an intermediate additional piece might be devised having a first side for holding the clamp and a second side forming a halfhinge for pivotally mating with a complimentary halfhinge onthe base. In this case the clamp would be spaced from the pivotal axis.

I claim:

1. A note and message holder comprising:

a clip made from a piece of wire having a pair of free ends, said clip having a generally straight portion comprising a pivotal axis and a pair of resilient upstanding arms, each arm forming a loop and crossingthe other arm, each arm also including one of the free ends of said wire, at least oneof said free ends terminating proximate said straight portion,

' said armsarranged to hold a piece of paper therebetween,

and a base for holding said clip, said base including means for containing said substantially straight portion and preventing relative rotation between said base and clips, and means preventing the unobstructed removalof the clip from the base.

2. The holder as defined in claim 1,

wherein said containing means comprises a first slot for pivotally containing said straight portion, and a second slot for containing portions of said resilient upstanding arms to thereby selectively prevent and permit relative rotation between the clip and base depending, respectively, on whether said portions on said resilient upstanding arms are within or biased out of said second slot.

3. The holder as defined in claim 1,

wherein said containing means includes a first slot for pivotally containing said straight portion, and also a plurality of other slots arranged angularly around said first slot, each of these other slots positioned to receive a portion of one of said upstanding arms, said upstanding arms being sufiiciently resilient to permit said upstanding arm to be selectively inserted in any of said other slots to thereby fix the clip in any one of several angular positions relative to said base.

4. The holder as defined in claim 1,

wherein said first mentioned means comprises a channel cut entirely along the length of said base and is substantially the same thickness as said straight portion of said clip, each of said upstanding arms being at a different end of said straight portion and extending upwardly therefrom to form a closed-end trough between said arms and within said base, and locking means in said trough to prevent removal of said clip from said base.

5. A note holder comprising:

a clamp portion and a supporting base, said clamp portion including a pivotal axis, said base including a slot which holds said pivotal axis, said base also including means for mounting said note holder on a given object with the clamp portion in any one of a plurality of angular orientations relative to a horizontal plane, means forming a part of said holder restraining the free pivotal movement of said clamp portion relative to said base, and means for affixing said base to said given object.

6. The note holder as defined in claim 5,

wherein said restraining means comprises a plurality of recesses,

and wherein portions of said clamp portion resiliently snap into said recesses.

7. A note holder as defined in claim 5,

wherein said restraining means comprises a screw arranged to close said slot down and increase the frictional bearing on said pivotal axis.

8. The note holder as defined in claim 5,

wherein said restraining means comprises a plurality of other slots in said base extending radially outwardly from said pivotal axis,

and wherein said clamp portion includes 21 depending and resilient wire portion biased into one of said slots. 

1. A note and message holder comprising: a clip made from a piece of wire having a pair of free ends, said clip having a generally straight portion comprising a pivotal axis and a pair of resilient upstanding arms, each arm forming a loop and crossing the other arm, each arm also including one of the free ends of said wire, at least one of said free ends terminating proximate said straight portion, said arms arranged to hold a piece of paper therebetween, and a base for holding said clip, said base including means for containing said substantially straight portion and preventing relative rotation between said base and clips, and means preventing the unobstructed removal of the clip from the base.
 2. The holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said containing means comprises a first slot for pivotally containing said straight portion, and a second slot for containing portions of said resilient upstanding arms to thereby selectively prevent and permit relative rotation between the clip and base depending, respectively, on whether said portions on said resilient upstanding arms are within or biased out of said second slot.
 3. The holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said containing means includes a first slot for pivotally containing said straight portion, and also a plurality of other slots arranged angularly around said first slot, each of these other slots positioned to receive a portion of one of said upstanding arms, said upstanding arms being sufficiently resilient to permit said upstanding arm to be selectively inserted in any of said other slots to thereby fix the clip in any one of several angular positions relative to said base.
 4. The holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said first mentioned means comprises a channel cut entirely along the length of said base and is substantially the same thickness as said straight portion of said clip, each of said upstanding arms being at a different end of said straight portion and extending upwardly therefrom to form a closed-end trough between said arms and within said base, and locking means in said trough to prevent removal of said clip from said base.
 5. A note holder comprising: a clamp portion and a supporting base, said clamp portion including a pivotal axis, said base including a slot which holds said pivotal axis, said base also including means for mounting said note holder on a given object with the clamp portion in any one of a plurality of angular orientations relative to a horizontal plane, means forming a part of said holder restraining the free pivotal movement of said clamp portion relative to said base, and means for affixing said base to said given object.
 6. The note holder as defined in claim 5, wherein said restraining means comprises a plurality of recesses, and wherein portions of said clamp portion resiliently snap into said recesses.
 7. A note holder as defined in claim 5, wherein said restraining means comprises a screw arranged to close said slot down and increase the frictional bearing on said pivotal axis.
 8. The note holder as defined in claim 5, wherein said restraining means comprises a plurality of other slots in said base extending radially outwardly from said pivotal axis, and wherein said clamp portion includes a depending and resilient wire portion biased into one of said slots. 